Senior Materials Program Manager

Stealth Startup; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

wellness benefit

PTO

free in‑office lunch

Job summary

Happy Droid in San Carlos, CA is seeking a Senior Materials Program Manager to lead sourcing strategy and material readiness for next‑generation physical AI robotics from concept to volume production. You will bridge Engineering, Supply Chain, strategic suppliers and contract manufacturers to ensure timely launches and scalable processes.

The role emphasizes risk mitigation, cost optimization, and data‑driven decisions, with hands‑on execution and cross‑functional influence in a fast‑growing

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Materials Program Management, Sourcing or Procurement for hardware products.
• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline such as Supply Chain, Operations or Business.
• Experience ensuring material readiness across concept to mass production.
• Proven ability to negotiate contracts and manage supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and execution to ensure material readiness for next‑gen robotics.
• Develop sourcing strategies and build resilient supplier partnerships.
• Drive end‑to‑end materials execution from prototype to mass production.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks and optimize product cost.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain and Contract Manufacturers.

Skills

Supplier relationships

Data-driven decisions

Cost optimization

Cross-functional leadership

Procurement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Operations/Business

Tools

ERP

MRP

PLM

Job description

WHO WE ARE. Happy Droid is a physical AI company dedicated to building intelligent machines that expand human capability by transforming how tasks gets done in the physical world. We develop general-purpose robotic systems that seamlessly combine mobility, perception and advanced AI to perform meaningful roles alongside people, across industries and environments.

We believe that physical AI represents the next frontier of technology, bringing intelligence beyond the digital realm and into the real world. Whether it’s solving labor shortages, augmenting productivity, alleviating safety hazards or providing personal assistance, our mission is to create safe, supportive, capable and adaptive robotic platforms which are happy to help unlock new possibilities for businesses and communities alike.

As we push the boundaries of what autonomous systems can achieve, we remain committed to developing technology that is trustworthy, human-centered, beneficial and resilient. By combining world-class engineering and a resilient supply chain with an ongoing focus on real-world impact, Happy Droid is helping to create a future where intelligent machines empower humanity to achieve a better quality of life.

ABOUT THE ROLE. As a Senior Materials Program Manager, you will lead the strategy and execution required to ensure material readiness for next-generation physical AI robotics (and associated products) from concept through volume production. Serving as the critical link between Engineering, Supply Chain, Strategic Suppliers and Contract Manufacturers, you will develop sourcing strategies, build resilient supplier partnerships and drive end-to-end materials execution that enables successful product launches. You will also proactively identify and mitigate supply risks, optimize product cost and ensure seamless transitions from prototype builds through mass production to enable rapid company growth.

• Enjoy building supplier relationships and solving supply chain challenges in fast-paced hardware development environments.
• Naturally balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution, moving seamlessly between executive planning and day‑to‑day program management.
• Are highly analytical and enjoy using data to drive sourcing decisions, material readiness, make/buy assessments, cost optimization and operational improvements.
• Excel at influencing cross‑functional teams and bringing alignment across organizations.
• Enjoy ambiguous, high‑growth environments where building scalable processes and solving new challenges are part of everyday work.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in Materials Program Management, Strategic Sourcing, Procurement and/or Supply Chains supporting hardware products.
• Familiarity with motors, batteries, sensors, precision mechanical components, PCBAs, and/or electronics manufacturing.
• Strong background supporting materials readiness throughout the full product lifecycle from proof‑of‑concept, NPI prototype builds, engineering validations and into mass production.
• Proven expertise selecting, developing and managing strategic supplier and/or Contract Manufacturer relationships
• Managing BOM costs, performing make/buy analyses, benchmarking cost models and driving cost reduction initiatives.
• Demonstrated skills with interpreting, writing and negotiating supplier contracts and agreements (MPA, MSA, SOW, etc.)
• Experience identifying and mitigating supply chain risks including long lead‑time components, supplier capacity and component lifecycle management.
• Analytical capabilities using ERP, MRP, PLM and any supply chain planning systems to support data‑driven decision making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams and executive leadership.

NICE TO HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:

• MBA or advanced degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting rapidly scaling startups or high‑volume manufacturing organizations.
• Background in robotics, autonomous systems, drones, automotive, aerospace, industrial automation or other complex precision electromechanical hardware industries.
• Exposure to managing global supply chains across North America and Southeast Asia.
• Knowledge around Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Design for Testability (DFT), Design for Reliability (DFR) and Value Engineering principles.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

On‑Site - would require 5 days onsite in San Carlos, CA

Salary range $160000 - $180000 (USD) + bonus + equity

Individual pay is determined by factors including job‑related skills, experience and relevant education or training.

Additional benefits include 401k match, Medical/Dental/Vision insurance, wellness benefit, PTO, free in‑office lunch

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.